Mr. Powell: I agree, but I don't

While I was trying to figure out what to prepare my 4 year old for dinner, I came across an editorial piece by Brother Kevin Powell. I call him brother because he is truly an amazing human being. He has used his name and influence to give voice to people and causes that too often go unheard. His books are remarkable, power-punching yet palatable to a wide array of readers. So, it was no surprise that while perusing allhiphop.com, I stopped at his article. He was responding to the Sean Bell verdict and made many valid points. Most of them- I agreed with. However, there was one part that kind of rubbed me the wrong way. He states, “Our current leadership needs us to believe all we can ever be are victims, doomed to one recurring tragedy or another. It keeps these leaders gainfully employed, and it keeps us feeling completely helpless and powerless (Powell, 2008)”. For some reason, I became offended.
Anyone who knows me knows that sometimes I argue for the sake of arguing. In fact, I went to Divinity school in order to better equip myself for arguments with ministers. Of course I came out with a whole different view on life, religion and Christ’s message in particular, but I’m saying that to say that I am not one to readily support leaders, especially those who are quick to name the name of Christ. I can only guess as to whom Brother Powell was referring, but I have a few questions. Is it not easier to attack the tactics of the prevailing “Black” leadership because they actually say something when things like this happen? Why not come at Jay-Z who decided to create a dis record in support of Lebron James this weekend, instead of an ode in honor of a fallen brother? Do we really believe that our leadership would rather that we be subjugated (at least politically) forever?
I think it is easier to attack than to look at the rest of the circumstances, historically speaking. Black men have been misconceived as being criminals since The Atlantic Slave Trade. Post-chattel slavery, Black men could be arrested based on hearsay (not too different from now) and were lynched for things like looking at or whistling at a white woman (Emmet Till). Since then, even when Black men are honest and hard working, they are still demonized based on this ill gotten stereotype. So what happens, some of them have decided that if they are viewed negatively anyway, you might as well just go on and do it anyway. It was because of those type of people that Sean Bell met his end. It was the image of a systematic agreement with an incorrect statement that caused those cops, white, Black and Latino, to murder a man in cold-blood. I say, let’s focus on that instead of tearing each other down. Like I said, I agree with you Brother Powell, but not all the way.

Powell, K. (2008). The Sean Bell Tragedy. Retrieved from http://allhiphop.com/stories/editorial/archive/2008/04/26/19734547.aspx on April 28, 2008.